Packaged medicines imports in Ethiopia: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Ethiopia imported packaged medicines worth $243.9 million (20.2 thousand tonnes). Value fell 27% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2019, at $577.3 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $243.9M | 20.2K t |
| 2023 | $335.9M | 25.4K t |
| 2022 | $272.1M | 17.7K t |
| 2021 | $451.5M | 23.7K t |
| 2020 | $371.4M | 15.1K t |
| 2019 | $577.3M | 15.9K t |
| 2018 | $309.3M | 10.1K t |
| 2017 | $311.7M | 8.6K t |
Where Ethiopia imports packaged medicines from
One supplier dominates: India accounted for 51% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Kenya grew fastest (+32% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $125.2M | 51% |
| China | $45.9M | 19% |
| Kenya | $11.0M | 4.5% |
| Turkey | $9.2M | 3.8% |
| Germany | $8.6M | 3.5% |
| Belgium | $6.7M | 2.8% |
| United Kingdom | $5.6M | 2.3% |
| Cyprus | $5.3M | 2.2% |
| Saudi Arabia | $4.3M | 1.8% |
| France | $3.8M | 1.6% |
Product types under HS 3004
| 3004.90 | Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale | 57% |
| 3004.20 | Antibiotic medicines (packaged) | 20% |
| 3004.10 | Penicillin and streptomycin medicines (packaged) | 11% |
| 3004.60 | Antimalarial medicines (packaged) | 5.9% |
| 3004.39 | Hormone medicines (packaged) | 1.8% |
| 3004.50 | Vitamin medicines (packaged) | 1.5% |
| 3004.31 | Insulin medicines (packaged) | 1.3% |
| 3004.32 | Corticosteroid medicines (packaged) | 1.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3004.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $12.09 per kg, 85% below the world average of $80.84, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Packaged medicines exports from Ethiopia
Ethiopia exported $529 thousand of packaged medicines in 2024 (12 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Nigeria accounted for 57% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | $302K | 57% |
| Angola | $129K | 25% |
| Bulgaria | $62K | 12% |
| Tanzania | $26K | 4.9% |
| Norway | $6K | 1.1% |
| Saudi Arabia | $3K | 0.5% |
| South Africa | $0K | 0.1% |
| Canada | $0K | 0% |
| Uganda | $0K | 0% |
| Poland | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Ethiopia?
The shipment records behind Ethiopia packaged medicines imports (HS 3004): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 3004: Medicaments; (not goods of heading no. 3002, 3005 or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic use, put up in measured doses (incl. those in the form of transdermal admin. systems) or packed for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of packaged medicines imported by Ethiopia?
Ethiopia imported packaged medicines worth $243.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 20.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 102nd of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 27% on 2023.
Which countries supply packaged medicines to Ethiopia?
India was the largest supplier with 51% of the value ($125.2 million), followed by China (19%) and Kenya (5%). The top three together account for 75%, out of 43 supplier countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 168% on the year.
What is the average import price of packaged medicines per kg?
The average declared import value was about $12.09 per kg in 2024, 85% below the world average of $80.84 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of packaged medicines to Ethiopia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $311.7 million in 2017 to $243.9 million in 2024, a fall of 22%. The peak was 2019 at $577.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $359.1 million a year.
Does Ethiopia also export packaged medicines?
Yes. Ethiopia exported $529 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Nigeria, Angola and Bulgaria. On balance Ethiopia is a net importer of this product, by about $243.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for packaged medicines?
The HS code for packaged medicines is heading 3004. In Ethiopia the largest six-digit codes were 3004.90 (57% of the value) and 3004.20 (20%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for Ethiopia reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
Packaged medicines product types in Ethiopia
More trade data for Ethiopia
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